Vegetable-separator.



W. J. SHERRARD. VEGETABLE SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 29, 1907.

898,51 5. Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

WlTNESSES:

9 IN VEN TOR ax/[km fJ/er rard,

ATTORNEY 1n: KmR'ms PETERS ca. wnsumawlv, n. c,

WILLIAM J. SHERRARD, OF COTTON GIN, TEXAS.

VEGETABLE-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

Application filed October 29, 1907. Serial No. 399,726.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. SHERRARD, citizen of the United States, residing at Cotton Gin, in the county of Freestone and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vegetable-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in vegetable separators, and more particularly to that class of separators to be used in assorting such vegetables and fruits as potatoes, apples, oranges, etc.

The object of the invention is to provide a separator so constructed and arranged as to be easily operated by hand and one which can easily be adapted to use in assorting either smallor large quantities of vegetables or fruit, as the operator may desire.

A still further feature lies in the provision of means for separating dirt and other refuse from the vegetables or fruits which are to be assorted.

Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a separator of the character described that will be stron durable and efficient, comparatively simp e and inexpensive to construct and one in which the several parts will not be liable to order.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has relation to certain novel features an example of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation. of my device, Fig. 2 is a plan view of same, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures, the numerall designates opposite side supports secured by a horizontal bar 2. Firmly fastened to said side supports is a stationary screen 3 having a bottom 4 of wire fabric provided with a central opening 5 beneath which a suitable receptacle for the rejected vegetables may be arranged.

It will be noted that the mesh on the forward side of said opening 5 is lower and inclined rearwardly with a greater inclination than on the rear of the opening. This feaget out of working ture facilitates the passage of the contents of screen 3 through said opening and overcomes any tendency said contents may have to pass mto the bag 6.

A swinging screen 7 is suspended from the side supports by means of a swinging hanger 8, in such a manner as to be readily balanced by the operator irrespective of the weight of the contents thereof. This screen is provided with a bottom of wire fabric having openings of such size as to permit the smaller vegetables to pass through and fall into screen 3, and to retain the larger ones. Said screen 7 is further provided with a gate 8 which is located at the front end of same and is arranged to freely slide in grooves in the sides of the screen. This sliding gate is provided with immovable shoulders 9 which project beyond the sides of the screen 7 and are so arranged as to engage the sides of the screen 3.

The front ends of the screens are strengthened by means of braces 10 and 11. Both screens are so constructed as to converge from the rear forwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and the movable screen is the narrower of the two, so that the front end of the Same when lowered may readily pass between the sides of the stationary one.

My device is operated in the following manner: The vegetables which are to be assorted are placed in the screen 7 which is then swung rapidly back and forth in such a manner as to cause the smaller vegetables, and dirt and other refuse to fall through onto the screen 3, the dirt and refuse falling on to the ground and the remaining vegetables passing through opening 5 into a suitable receptacle provided for them. When the sma ler ve etables are sufficiently separated from the larger the rear of the movable screen is elevated by the operator and the front end of same is correspondingly lowered passing between the sides of the lower screen. The shoulders 9 of the gate 8 engage the sides of the screen 3 and the gate is thereby raised, allowing the contents of the screen 7 to pass in a bag 6 or other receptacle suitably supported to receive the same.

What I claim, is

1. In a vegetable separator the combination with a supporting frame, of a stationary screen, a movable screen arranged to cooperate with said stationaiy screen, and means for controlling the discharge of said movable screen said means arranged to be operated by the fixed screen.

2. In a vegetable separator, the combina tion with supports and a screen fixed thereto,

of a screen movably arranged on the sup- 1 so shaped that one art projects lower than 10 orts above the fixed screen; and a closure 1 the other substantia ly as described.

for said movable screen frame arranged to In testimony whereof I have signed my be operated by the fixed screen. name to this specification in the presence of 3. In a vegetable separator, the combinatwo subscribing witnesses.

tion with a movable screen and supports, of WILLIAM J-. SHERRARD.

I/Vitnesses ADA CuLLrsoN, FANNIE SIMs.

a screen fixed to the supports, said screen consisting of fabric sloping from each end toward an enlarged opening therein which 1s 

